On May 1st, 2014, area non-profits and Idahoans come together for Idaho Gives, a special state-wide day of online giving and sharing. Everyone can participate in this exciting event by making a donation or helping your favorite non-profit fundraise online. Sponsored by the Idaho Non-Profit Center, this single day of giving raised $578,735 across our state last year, from 6,192 individuals who supported 541 nonprofit causes. Residents of North Idaho are fortunate to be supported by many local non-profit groups who work to make our communities healthy, vibrant and strong. These non-profits provide critical services to ensure that North Idaho remains a wonderful place to live and work. Many local groups will be participating in this year’s Idaho Gives event, including: Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Idaho Conservation League, Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education, Kaniksu Land Trust, Panhandle Animal Shelter, American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, The Panida Theater, Friends of the Pend Oreille Bay Trail, the Memorial Community Center, Transitions in Progress, Priest River Ministries Advocates for Women, and the Rock Creek Alliance. From 8 am to 1 pm on May 1st these non-profits will host Idaho Gives donation stations at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters and Starbucks in Sandpoint. Stop by to chat with staff from your favorite groups, donate, and join in the fun of swag giveaways and prizes. The Idaho Pour Authority will also host an Idaho Gives Celebration from 4-8 pm that evening, with door prizes for attendees and proceeds from the keg going back to local groups. As a special thanks to local donors, Evans Brothers Coffee will provide a free drink to anyone who donates $10 or more to an area non-profit through the Idaho Gives event. Just bring your donation receipt to the Neighborhood Espresso Bar (524 Church St) between May 1st and May 8th, 2014. Making a donation through Idaho Gives is easy. Simply visit www.idahogives.org to find and support participating local non-profit groups. May 1st is the official Idaho Gives event, but you can also schedule your donation ahead of time by visiting the donation pages of your favorite non-profits on the Idaho Gives website. Corporate donors and sponsors have already contributed $48,000 to an award pool that will give local non-profits the chance to multiply donations from their supporters. So whether you schedule your donation early or plan to give on the day of the event, stop back on May 1st to be part of the Idaho Gives celebration. Visit www.idahogives.org for more information, and to see all of North Idaho’s participating non-profits.